Himalayan tahr

Scientific name: Hemitragus jemlahicus

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

Stocky, robust build with a shaggy dark brown to grey coat; males develop a distinctive long mane along neck and shoulders. Males are notably larger and darker than females; both sexes have short, curved horns.

Size and weight

Males 90–110 kg, females 55–75 kg; body length 150–180 cm.

Habitat

Rocky alpine and subalpine terrain between 2,000–4,500 m elevation, with sparse vegetation, cliff faces, and scree slopes. Prefers areas with grasses, lichens, and low shrubs near steep rocky outcrops.

Distribution

Endemic to the Himalayas from central Nepal through northern India (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) to Tibet. Found exclusively in high-altitude alpine zones.

Diet

Grazes on alpine grasses, sedges, and lichens; in winter shifts to mosses, lichen, and dried vegetation on slopes with less snow.

Behaviour

Diurnal and crepuscular, most active early morning and late afternoon. Highly social, forming herds of 10–30 animals; males often separate into bachelor groups outside breeding season.

Hunting tips

Look for droppings clustered on ledges and near grazing areas; tracks show cloven hooves in soft ground and scree. Approach upwind and use terrain folds to close distance; tahr move between cliff refuges and open alpine meadows—glass extensively from vantage points and stalk deliberately toward bedded groups.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.

New Zealand

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.